From the responsorial psalm: “I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving: “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” Lord, in your great love, answer me.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 26:14-25)
Jesus tells the disciples “My appointed time draws near,” and he celebrates the Passover with them. While they were eating, Jesus tells them that one of them will betray him. One by one the disciples deny that they will betray Jesus. “Surely it is not I, Lord?” When Jesus makes clear the consequences of failing to seek his mercy, as Peter did following his denial of Jesus, Judas also questions Jesus—”Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”—and later betrays him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas is not alone in his betrayal. In their weakness, each of the disciples also betrayed Jesus; only John remained with him at the foot of the cross. After the resurrection, all but Judas returned to Jesus to receive his mercy.
God, help me call to mind your presence today, that you are eternally present to me whether I am conscious of it at any given moment. In the decisions I face today, give me the grace to remain faithful to you and not weaken by turning away from your will and choosing to do wrong. “Surely it is not I, Lord?” Let that question be top of mind today as I face its opportunities and trials. “The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced.”